Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals
324 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 643 ratingsA Meded101.com Production
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Episodes
Azelastine Nasal Spray Pharmacology Podcast
May 11, 2023 15:25 - 13 minutes - 6.31 MBOn this episode of the RLP podcast, I discuss azelastine nasal spray pharmacology, adverse effects, administration, and much more! While most nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis are corticosteroids, azelastine is classified as an antihistamine. Systemic absorption of azelastine is about 40%, so while not common, systemic adverse effects like sedation can happen. On this podcast episode, I use azelastine to remind you about important education points regarding the use of nasal sprays.
Amlodipine Pharmacology Podcast
May 04, 2023 15:49 - 18 minutes - 17 MBOn this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology Podcast, I discuss amlodipine pharmacology, adverse effects, and important drug interactions. I break down why edema occurs with amlodipine on this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast. While beta-blockers are typically the first-line agent for the prevention of chronic angina symptoms, CCBs like amlodipine can be used as an alternative. There are some potential CYP3A4 interactions with amlodipine. I discuss the severity of these in...
Pyridoxine Pharmacology
April 28, 2023 03:26 - 12 minutes - 5.65 MBOn this episode, I discuss pyridoxine pharmacology, adverse effects, and important clinical uses. Pyridoxine is most well known for its potential to reduce the likelihood of isoniazid-induced neuropathy. Another common indication of pyridoxine is its use for nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. Pyridoxine plays an important role in the production of heme, so deficiency will increase the risk for anemia.
Vibegron Pharmacology Podcast
April 20, 2023 14:16 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBOn this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I discuss vibegron pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions and more! I spend some time comparing and contrasting vibegron to mirabegron. Both are beta-3 agonists used for overactive bladder. Vibegron dosing is very simple. It is dosed once daily with no alternative dosage forms available. The starting dose is the target dose. Being primarily excreted in the feces and urine, vibegron doesn't have many drug interactions.
Bempedoic Acid Pharmacology Podcast
April 13, 2023 15:24 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBBempedoic acid, also known as Nexletol, is a once-daily medication used in lipid management. I discuss its pharmacology, side effects, and much more on this podcast episode. Bempedoic is a once-daily medication that doesn’t need to be titrated. Standard dosing is 180mg once daily which can be taken with or without food. What are the most common side effects of bempedoic acid? One of the most notable adverse effects is hyperuricemia. This is usually seen within the first 4 weeks of being o...
Exenatide Pharmacology Podcast
April 06, 2023 15:55 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss exenatide pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more! Exenatide has an immediate release formulation (Byetta) and a long acting formulation (Bydureon). I discuss the differences in this podcast episode. Byetta use has fallen out of favor due to frequent dosing, patient inconvenience and needing to time the dose 60 minutes prior to meals. I discuss the risk of pancreatitis related to GLP-1 agonists like exenatide in this podcast epis...
Pyridostigmine Pharmacology Podcast
March 30, 2023 15:41 - 13 minutes - 6.05 MBI discuss Pyridostigmine Pharmacology in this podcast episode in addition to adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more! Pyridostigmine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that can be used for myasthenia gravis or orthostasis. Pyridostigmine can blunt the effect of neuromuscular blocking agents so patients undergoing surgery should be sure to have a game plan with their surgery team. Similar to donepezil, pyridostigmine can cause diarrhea and bradycardia.
Simethicone (Gas-X) Pharmacology Podcast
March 23, 2023 15:43 - 10 minutes - 9.72 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss simethicone pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more! Simethicone is primarily used for anti-gas purposes. It is most often used on an as needed basis for relief of flatulence and bloating associated with gas. Systemic absorption is minimal with simethicone so the occurrence of any systemic-type side effects at therapeutic doses is low. Simethicone may interfere with levothyroxine absorption. Timing levothyroxine at least a few ho...
Fosinopril (Monopril) Pharmacology Podcast
March 16, 2023 15:49 - 15 minutes - 7.21 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss fosinopril (Monopril) pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions and much more. Fosinopril is an ACE inhibitor so it should absolutely NOT be used in pregnancy as it poses fetus risks. Like other ACE inhibitors, hyperkalemia, cough, angioedema, and acute renal failure represent possible risks in using fosinopril. Drugs that can raise potassium when used in combo with fosinopril include spironolactone, trimethoprim, calcineurin inhibitors, and hep...
Haloperidol (Haldol) Pharmacology Podcast
March 09, 2023 16:09 - 14 minutes - 6.49 MBOn this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I discuss haloperidol pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions and much more. Haloperidol comes in multiple dosage forms. Be very careful with the use of injectable haloperidol as there is an immediate and extended release formulation. Haloperidol is a dopamine antagonist which means that EPS adverse effects are going to be concerning. In hospice patients, haloperidol is frequently used for its antiemetic properties as well ...
Promethazine (Phenergan) Pharmacology Podcast
March 02, 2023 16:02 - 15 minutes - 6.97 MBIn this promethazine pharmacology podcast, I discuss its mechanisms of action, side effects, important drug interactions, and much more. Promethazine has anticholinergic and dopamine-blocking activity which contributes to the adverse effect profile as well as its efficacy. There is a boxed warning with promethazine to avoid the use of this medication in patients under the age of 2 due to respiratory depression. Promethazine IV is considered a high-risk route of administration and should...
Loperamide (Imodium) Pharmacology Podcast
February 23, 2023 15:43 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBIn this episode, I discuss loperamide (Imodium) pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions. Loperamide has opioid-type activity in the gut but has extremely low oral bioavailability. This allows it to be used for diarrhea but at lower doses won't cause systemic opioid-like effects. Loperamide abuse has been reported. Excessive dosages can increase the risk of cardiac arrest and other cardiovascular concerns. Medication causes of diarrhea should be ruled out prior to starting a...
Calcium Carbonate Pharmacology Podcast
February 16, 2023 16:14 - 19 minutes - 8.84 MBI discuss calcium carbonate pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and more in this podcast episode. Calcium tends to have a constipating effect and the higher the dose, the more likely patients are to experience this adverse effect. Binding interactions are a major problem with oral calcium carbonate. I lay out numerous examples of this on the podcast. There are a few medications that can increase calcium levels in the blood. Thiazide diuretics are a commonly used antihypert...
Ramelteon (Rozerem) Pharmacology Podcast
February 09, 2023 16:27 - 14 minutes - 6.66 MBOn this episode, I discuss the pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions of ramelteon (Rozerem). Ramelteon is primarily only helpful for sleep onset and generally is not that helpful in sleep maintenance. CNS depressant drug interactions will be a common concern to monitor. Opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol are common sedatives that can add to the effects of ramelteon. Some of the CYP enzymes break down Ramelteon. I discuss this in greater length in this podcast episode.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) Pharmacology Podcast
February 02, 2023 16:20 - 13 minutes - 6.02 MBIn this podcast episode, I discuss thiamine pharmacology and its important role in energy production. In patients with alcohol use disorder, thiamine deficiency can be somewhat common. Wernicke's encephalopathy can result from thiamine deficiency in patients with alcohol use disorder. Common symptoms from Wernicke's encephalopathy can include confusion, lethargy, and other central nervous system issues. Thiamine replacement can help treat this issue.
Dutasteride (Avodart) Pharmacology Podcast
January 26, 2023 16:57 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBDutasteride (Avodart) is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. I discuss the pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions on this podcast. Dutasteride reduces the size of the prostate over time. It takes a significant amount of time to provide symptom relief (usually at least 3-6 months). Dutasteride is broken down by CYP3A4 to a minor extent which means that strong CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase drug concentrations. When using dutasteride for BPH, remember to review the medication list...
Prazosin (Minipress) Pharmacology Podcast
January 19, 2023 16:30 - 12 minutes - 5.81 MBOn this episode, I discuss prazosin pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions and much more. Prazosin is an alpha-blocker but lacks selectivity. A reduction in blood pressure is expected, but it is notorious for causing orthostatic hypotension. Prazosin may be used off-label for nightmares, when this is the case, you will likely only see this drug dosed at bedtime. Alpha agonist medications (such as pseudoephedrine and ADHD stimulants) may counteract the effects of prazosin.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) Pharmacology Podcast
January 12, 2023 15:28 - 15 minutes - 7.21 MBOn this episode I discuss the pharmacology of tirzepatide. I'm appreciative of Derek Borkowski who operates Pyrls for providing a free PDF of the 2023 ADA Diabetes Guidelines when you subscribe for an account at Pyrls.com/rlp - Tirzepatide makes its first appearance in the diabetes guidelines for its ability to promote weight loss. Tirzepatide is a combination GIP and GLP-1 agonist that is currently indicated for diabetes with reductions of A1C in the range of about 2 points. Much like GL...
Methimazole Pharmacology Podcast
January 05, 2023 16:50 - 11 minutes - 5.44 MBOn this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast, I cover methimazole adverse effects, mechanism of action, drug interactions, and much more! Methimazole and propylthiouracil are from the same class of medications and are used for hyperthyroidism. I go over some of the differences between these agents in this podcast episode. Methimazole is dosed once daily but can be split if the patient experiences significant GI adverse effects. T3 plays an important role in hyperthyroidism. I di...
Semaglutide (subQ) Pharmacology Podcast
December 29, 2022 16:54 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss the pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions of semaglutide. Semaglutide has two primary uses: Type 2 diabetes and Weight Management - the dosing varies depending upon the indication. When using semaglutide, pay attention to GI adverse effects. Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting are the most common ADRs and are dose-dependent. Pay attention to corticosteroid bursts. They can cause substantial hyperglycemia and counteract the effects of diabetes ...
Minocycline Pharmacology Podcast
December 22, 2022 13:41 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBMinocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. I discuss pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions. Minocycline can cause sun sensitivity. Be sure to educate patients about this risk. Metal cations like iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium can bind minocycline and reduce the oral absorption of the medication. Tooth discoloration is a possible adverse effect if minocycline is given to pediatric patients. I discuss it further in this episode.
Propylthiouracil Pharmacology Podcast
December 15, 2022 16:42 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBIn this podcast episode, I cover propylthiouracil pharmacology, adverse effect, drug interaction, and much more! Propylthiouracil carries a boxed warning for hepatotoxicity which is a significant downside compared to the other agent in its class (methimazole). What about dosing? I discuss why this medication has to be dosed multiple times per day. Drug interactions aren't incredibly common with propylthiouracil but it can affect warfarin differently than most drug interactions. I discuss ...
Brexpiprazole (Rexulti) Pharmacology Podcast
December 08, 2022 16:38 - 15 minutes - 6.93 MBBrexpiprazole (Rexulti) is a second generation antipsychotic. I discuss its pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and more in this podcast episode. I like to associate brexpiprazole with aripiprazole. They have a lot of overlapping characteristics, particularly in relation to the adverse effect profile. Brexpiprazole tends to have a low incidence of metabolic adverse effects which makes it a nice selection for patients who have diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, or who are overwe...
Indapamide (Lozol) Pharmacology Podcast
December 01, 2022 16:21 - 14 minutes - 6.43 MBOn this episode, I discuss indapamide pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and pharmacokinetics. I discuss how indapamide differs from other thiazide diuretics. Particularly, I discuss indapamide compared to hydrochlorothiazide. Frequent urination, hypokalemia, and dehydration are all possible risks with indapamide. Pay attention to medications that can increase the risk for acute renal failure when added to indapamide. NSAIDs, ACEIs, ARBs, and other diuretics can increase ...
Tadalafil (Cialis) Pharmacology Podcast
November 24, 2022 16:10 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MBOn this episode, I discuss tadalafil pharmacology, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and drug interactions. Tadalafil has a significantly longer half-life than sildenafil. I discuss how this is going to impact a patient that may need a nitrate. PDE-5 inhibitors like tadalafil are most commonly used for erectile dysfunction but I talk about other unique indications in the podcast. Daily use or as-needed use of tadalafil are both acceptable options but there are some quirks you need to kno...
Sitagliptin Pharmacology Podcast
November 17, 2022 15:26 - 12 minutes - 5.74 MBSitagliptin is a DPP4 inhibitor. I discuss the pharmacology of this medication on the podcast. Which diabetes medication works similarly to sitagliptin? I discuss that further on this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology podcast. Renal elimination plays a significant role with sitagliptin. I discuss how this impacts the appropriate dosing. Cost is a significant issue with sitagliptin at this time. In addition, it's A1C-lowering effects aren't anything to write home about. I discuss how...
Gabapentin (Neurontin) Pharmacology Podcast
November 10, 2022 15:49 - 16 minutes - 7.53 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss gabapentin (Neurontin) pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more! Gabapentin's GI absorption is a little wacky. I discuss on the podcast the clinical effects that this may have on our patients. Renal elimination is critical to gabapentin. Worsening renal function will significantly impact the action of the drug. CNS sedation can be a problem with gabapentin, especially in combination with other CNS depressants. I discuss this furth...
Ranolazine (Ranexa) Pharmacology Podcast
November 03, 2022 16:55 - 13 minutes - 6.29 MBRanolazine is primarily used for chronic angina management. I discuss pharmacology, drug interactions, adverse effects, and more in this podcast episode. Ranolazine is well known to have drug interactions. CYP3A4 is of major importance but there are other subtle drug interactions that are important. QTc prolongation has been reported with ranolazine so it is important to recognize risk factors and other medications that may contribute to this concern. Enzyme inducers like carbamazepine, ...
Lorazepam (Ativan) Pharmacology Podcast
October 28, 2022 02:51 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss lorazepam (Ativan) pharmacology, adverse effects, and common drug interactions. Lorazepam has numerous dosage forms and the IV formulation does contain propylene glycol which can accumulate if it is used for longer periods of time. There is a boxed warning for lorazepam when it is used with opioids. The risk for opioid overdose, coma, and death increases significantly. Lorazepam is an intermediate acting benzodiazpine. It's half-life for most adult patien...
Valsartan Pharmacology Podcast
October 20, 2022 16:16 - 11 minutes - 5.21 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss valsartan pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more. Valsartan is a fairly common ARB. I mostly see losartan and valsartan used as the most common ARBs in hypertension management. Valsartan has a longer half-life than losartan which is why we can often get away with once daily dosing compared to losartan which sometimes requires twice daily. Hyperkalemia is a major concern with ARBs like valsartan. Trimethoprim and spironolactone ...
Famotidine Pharmacology Podcast
October 13, 2022 12:29 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss famotidine pharmacology, adverse effects, uses, and drug interactions. Famotidine is generally pretty well tolerated, but one thing I look out for with chronic use is B12 deficiency. Famotidine is eliminated by the kidney so you should pay attention to the dose in patients with CKD. Famotidine is occasionally used as a pretreatment to help prevent infusion-type reactions for certain chemotherapy agents.
Clonazepam Pharmacology Podcast
October 06, 2022 12:14 - 13 minutes - 5.95 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss clonazepam pharmacology, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and drug interactions. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine that enhances the activity of GABA which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It is important to try to avoid using benzodiazepines like clonazepam with opioids as it can increase the risk of respiratory depression and death. Clonazepam is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine that is only commercially available ...
Phentermine Pharmacology Podcast
September 29, 2022 11:25 - 12 minutes - 5.55 MBIn this podcast episode, I break down the pharmacology, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and drug interactions of phentermine. Phentermine has some CNS stimulant activity so adverse effects like insomnia, hypertension, and tachycardia are possible. Pay attention to drugs that can oppose the effects of phentermine and cause weight gain such as mirtazapine and sulfonylureas. Phentermine is a controlled substance so the risk of addiction and dependence is possible.
Glimepiride Pharmacology Podcast
September 22, 2022 14:10 - 16 minutes - 7.6 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss glimepiride pharmacology, adverse effects, hypoglycemia symptoms, and drug interactions. CYP2C9 is an important enzyme in the breakdown of glimepiride. I discuss a few drugs that can cause interactions via this enzyme. Renal function is important to consider with glimepiride. The active metabolites are cleared by the kidney and can accumulate in CKD. Hypoglycemia and weight gain are problematic adverse effects of this medication and are the primary reas...
Cephalexin (Keflex) Pharmacology Podcast
September 15, 2022 15:42 - 12 minutes - 10.5 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss cephalexin pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and much more! Penicillin allergies and cross-reactivity are common questions with regard to the use of cephalexin and I discuss this briefly in the podcast episode. Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin with its primary sweet spot being gram-positive bacteria like Staph and Strep species. Warfarin, probenecid, zinc, and a couple of others are potential medications that can interact wi...
Ceftriaxone Pharmacology
September 08, 2022 15:38 - 13 minutes - 6.23 MBOn this episode, I discuss ceftriaxone pharmacology, adverse effect, coverage, and drug interactions. Ceftriaxone is currently a drug of choice for the STI Gonorrhea. Pyrls.com has an amazing chart on all the STIs and their drugs of choice that you can get for free when you sign up for a free account! Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin that is used for numerous indications such as pneumonia, meningitis, gonorrhea, and many more. It is important to remember that ceftriaxone can...
Lactulose Pharmacology
September 01, 2022 15:52 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBLactulose is an osmotic laxative but it is rarely used for this purpose. I discuss lactulose pharmacology in this episode. Elevated ammonia levels are an issue in hepatic encephalopathy. Lactulose can help manage this issue. Lactulose is dosed to 2-3 soft stools per day when used to reduce ammonia levels. Lactulose can increase the effect of warfarin and raise INR; I discuss this further on this episode.
Ticagrelor Pharmacology
August 25, 2022 16:21 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBOn this episode, I discuss ticagrelor pharmacology, adverse effects, and important drug interactions. Ticagrelor has a warning with regards to the use of aspirin. Higher doses of aspirin can impair the effectiveness of ticagrelor and I discuss this further on this episode. Bleeding is the major adverse effect from ticagrelor and naturally, hematocrit and hemoglobin are important monitoring parameters. I discuss CYP3A4 drug interactions on this episode and how it may affect ticagrelor.
Lurasidone Pharmacology
August 18, 2022 16:13 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBOn this podcast episode, I discuss lurasidone pharmacology, adverse effects, and drug interactions. CYP3A4 is an important enzyme in the breakdown of lurasidone. I discuss this further on this episode. Lurasidone is best taken with food as this enhances absorption and helps improve drug concentrations. Lurasidone tends to have a lower risk for metabolic syndrome compared to other antipsychotics which is a nice advantage.
Isavuconazole Pharmacology
August 11, 2022 12:08 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBIsavuconazole is an azole antifungal that can be used for various fungal infections. In this episode, I discuss isavuconazole pharmacology, adverse effect, drug interactions, and pharmacokinetics. Isavuconazole is interestingly associated with QT shortening which is different from most azole antifungals that cause QT prolongation. Oral bioavailability of isavuconazole is nearly 100% so dose conversions between IV and oral are typically not difficult to navigate.
Ethinyl Estradiol
August 04, 2022 15:36 - 12 minutes - 5.85 MBOn this episode, I cover ethinyl estradiol pharmacology. This is a common component of oral contraceptives. You have to check out this free resource (with free account) from Pyrls.com/rlp which lists all the different combinations and brand names. All it takes is to simply sign up for a free account here. Ethinyl estradiol dosing can vary. Breakthrough bleeding is a major reason why a patient might prefer a higher dose. Blood clot risk is a real problem with ethinyl estradiol. There are nu...
Olmesartan Pharmacology
July 28, 2022 16:32 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBOn this episode, I discuss olmesartan (Benicar) pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and pharmacokinetics. Olmesartan can cause a unique GI adverse effect called enteropathy. I discuss this on this podcast episode. Important monitoring parameters for olmesartan include potassium, renal function, and blood pressure. Olmesartan has a longer half-life than losartan. I discuss how this might be advantageous in clinical practice.
Desvenlafaxine Pharmacology
July 21, 2022 13:07 - 16 minutes - 7.56 MBOn this episode, I discuss desvenlafaxine pharmacology, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and drug interactions. Desvenlafaxine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that can be used for depression. Renal elimination is an important method of deactivation of desvenlafaxine. Dose adjustments may be recommended as renal function drops below 50 mls/min. Withdrawal syndrome due is a risk with desvenlafaxine as it has a significantly short half-life.
Pramipexole (Mirapex) Pharmacology
July 14, 2022 16:49 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBPramipexole (Mirapex) is a dopamine agonist that can be used in Parkinson’s disease and Restless Legs Syndrome. Dopamine agonists like pramipexole can worsen psychiatric symptoms in some patients by causing hallucinations, and obsessive/compulsive symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and fatigue are the most common adverse effects of pramipexole. Pramipexole is primarily eliminated through the urine. I discuss how this matters clinically in greater detail in this podcast episode.
Prednisolone Pharmacology
July 07, 2022 15:11 - 16 minutes - 7.51 MBI mentioned prednisolone to prednisone conversion in this podcast. Please go check out Pyrls.com for a free steroid conversion downloadable PDF with a free account! On this episode, I discuss prednisolone (Orapred, Pediapred) pharmacology, adverse effects, practice pearls, and drug interactions. Prednisolone is a systemic corticosteroid that can cause insomnia, elevations in blood sugars, and numerous effects if used long-term. CYP3A4 is an important enzyme in the breakdown of prednisolon...
Bisoprolol (Zebeta) Pharmacology
June 30, 2022 15:01 - 15 minutes - 7.1 MBOn this episode, I discuss bisoprolol (Zebeta) pharmacology, adverse effects, drug interactions, and other important clinical pearls. Bisoprolol is a beta-1 selective antagonist that can be used for atrial fibrillation, angina, and other cardiovascular indications. It is important to remember that bisoprolol and other beta-blockers are not considered first-line agents for hypertension alone. Beta-receptor selectivity does start to disappear with bisoprolol as you get to higher dosages. ...
Lansoprazole Pharmacology
June 23, 2022 16:51 - 11 minutes - 5.14 MBLansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that can be commonly used for GERD, PUD, and GI prophylaxis. Lansoprazole can inhibit CYP2C19 which can cause concentrations of drugs like escitalopram and citalopram to rise. Hypomagnesemia, low B12, osteoporosis, and an increase in C. Diff risk are potential complications with longer-term PPI use. PPIs like lansoprazole are best given 30-60 minutes before meals. This is something that patients often forget. I discuss important drug interactions on...
Ropinirole Pharmacology
June 16, 2022 15:38 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBRopinirole (Requip) is a dopamine agonist that can be used in Parkinson's disease and Restless Legs Syndrome. Dopamine agonists like ropinirole can worsen psychiatric symptoms in some patients by causing hallucinations, and obsessive/compulsive symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and fatigue are the most common adverse effects of ropinirole. Ropinirole has drug interactions with antipsychotics and CYP1A2 inhibitors. I discuss these in greater detail in this podcast episode.
Inhaled Budesonide Pharmacology
June 09, 2022 15:36 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBOn this episode of the podcast, I cover budesonide (Pulmicort) pharmacology. Our sponsor (Pyrls.com/rlp) for this episode is providing a FREE PDF of their inhaled corticosteroid categorizations chart (i.e. low/medium/high dose ICS) when you sign up for a free account! The onset of action of inhaled budesonide is several hours up to a few days. Patient education is critical to ensure that patients stick with its use. Budesonide does have a nebulized formulation that is often used in pediatr...
Epoetin Pharmacology
June 02, 2022 15:37 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBEpoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent that can be used for various types of anemia. ESA's like epoetin carry a boxed warning as they increase the risk of cardiovascular events like MI, stroke, and blood clots. Assessing iron stores is critical when epoetin is used to ensure that a non-response is not due to deficiency. I discuss dosing adjustments of epoetin in the podcast. One must be careful about raising hemoglobin too quickly.